I’ve had three doctor’s appointments and about twelve tests done in the past week.

I’m going back and forth between being sure I have some kind of infection for which I need broad-spectrum antibiotic therapy, and being suspicious that antibiotics in beef have caused a dangerous yeast overgrowth for which I obviously need treatment.

I’ve cut sugar, caffeine, and alcohol.

I’m seriously considering gluten and dairy, too.

Chemicals in plastic and household cleaners are obviously frying my ovaries, so those must go.

Probiotics or prebiotics? Both? Neither?

More vitamins are definitely the answer. Expensive urine is better than a possible nutritional deficiency.

Oh, my blood work is all normal… again? Why is my TSH level a little low? I know it falls within normal limits, but what if it’s a fluke?

Let’s do more tests. Yes, more.

Yes, I know it’s not necessary because my test results are normal. Yes, I do still want more bloodwork. A full thyroid panel, ‘kaythanks.

Can we do some STD testing while we’re at it? No, I have no reason to think I have the clap, but what if I DO and it just never showed up on any other test or exam I’ve had in the seven or so years that the husband and I have been together??

And a repeat semen analysis, because I shouldn’t be the only one having this much fun.

Like this:

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19 comments on “Downward Spiral Into CrazyTown…”

Love the little cartoon! And not to add fuel to the fire, but…. these tests are for your husband, so at least no more needles for you: Sperm DNA Fragmentation and Karotyping. Oh wait, the Karotyping test is for both of you and is a blood test. But it’s just one vial, I believe. Anyway, these things are good to know… your hubby can have a perfect SA but the DNA fragmentation can show something you can’t see by just looking at the swimmers. Same with the Karotyping which looks for chromosomal issues.

Also, I think it’s GREAT you are getting more testing done now… BEFORE moving on to (possibly) bigger steps.

Tracy, this sounds EXACTLY like me. Exactly. The only difference is that I’ve had the crazies for about 3 months now, so my doctors, nurses, friends, husband… everyone thinks I’m insane. Unexplained sucks. I mean infertility sucks, but unexplained infertility, that’s another whole level of sulkiness.

I think maybe there’s something to be said for insanity in our case… I honestly don’t believe that Unexplained Infertility is a diagnosis! What is wrong with us, lol??

My doctor probably deals with 20-40 patients a day. He can’t research every little thing wrong with each of them… We can research on our own, however, and call with questions. I’m lucky that my doc will humor me most of the time… perhaps one of these times we will hit the nail on the head.

I sure hope we can figure this out, Amanda!! We sure do have a lot in common, in a completely unfortunate way.

You are speaking my language! And now kboo’s comment has me thinking I need that sperm dna fragmentation test … I already have orders for the karyotyping. Otherwise my infertility is basically “unexplained,” too. Most recently I’ve convinced myself that green juice is the answer. Worth (another) try. 🙂 But at the same time I’m trying to be very chill about it, as over and over I keep hearing that anxiety puts the kibosh on fertility. Gah.

Jenny at the Stupid Stork just found out her husband’s semen doesn’t have a protein necessary to recognize the egg and then fertilize it. Really new research. Keep looking. You may find the thing that explains the “unexplained.”

I just found your blog and your voice resonates within me so very deeply, I had to thank you for writing it, for putting it out there.
We are beginning our 3rd year of trying to conceive, also with a diagnosis of “unexplained infertility”. I think the hardest part about what we’re going through is that it’s so intangible–“unexplained infertility”, is that really even a diagnosis? How do I treat and move past what I can’t identify?!
I just want you to know there are strangers out there rooting for you, hoping with all their hearts you reach your goal soon–every infertile who joins the Mommy Club is a reason to rejoice, because that means there is hope for the rest of us, too!
I hope this “break” is the breakthrough you need. 🙂 Keep blogging, you rock!

Unexplained infertility really does suck. I’ve spent five years trying to find an answer to it and nothing showed up. Even my RPL is unexplained. I’ve had every test under the sun performed multiple times and nada. There’s got to be something there but I’m too tired of it all to keep fighting for an answer.

Can I tell you that I’m terrified of hearing “unexplained?” I’ve been told that I have PCOS, so that was fine by me as an explanation as to why my ovaries are non-compliant. My RE just stated that he thinks I’m on the low end of the PCOS spectrum. I have a feeling that if I don’t get pregnant soon, he’s going to use the U word. Crap. Do you remember how we were discussing words we don’t like? I’d like to add unexplained to that list. Ugh. Hang in there, dear. Hugs.

Hi!
I’ve been reading your blog from start and I must say that I find your texts touching and inspirational.
I can recognise myself in your story. I have PCOs and we have been ttc for two years. We finally got pregnant in november, without any medication. A couple of days before christmas, in week 10 we found out that we had twins, but that they had died in week 5 and 7. I did a d&c one week after. Now we are trying to recuperate and I’ve just got my ovulation started, one month after the procedure.
Just wanted to send a hello from Sweden and tell you that I will follow your blog and keep my fingers crossed for you!
Best wishes!

Don’t worry, you’re not alone in CrazyTown. I’m there too. And I’m sure a lot of other women are too. Not that that helps to make it feel better, but at least we’re not alone. Your blog post really resonated with me and it gave voice to a lot of feelings that I’ve sort of been pocketing and ignoring this month.

So, I was wondering in all of your testing madness if you had had your vitamin D levels checked? When I first went to my RE that is one of the things that he checked and I ended up being deficient. So I started to take a supplement (2000 IU to get the level up then 1000 IU daily to maintain) and it made a big difference in the number of follies that I end up with:
Cycle #1 – Chlomid 100mg – vitamin D 1000 IU – 2 follies – BFN
Cycle #2 – Chlomid 150mg – vitamin D 1000 IU – 3 follies – BFN
Cycle #3 – Chlomid 150mg – vitamin D 1000 IU – 3 follies – BFN
Cycle #4 – Chlomid 150mg – NO vitamin D – 1 lonely follie – BFN
Cycle #5 – Chlomid 150mg – vitamin D 2000 IU – 4 follies!!!! – in the TWW, so fingers crossed….
Wishing you the best of luck in this journey. I know that you will get your take home gummy bear soon!

This Is My Deal...

I'm Tracy. I'm a thirty-something, happily married miscarriage survivor, who tried just about everything possible to conceive for over five years, is currently parenting our miracle baby girl, and blogging about the hilarity of it all.

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2013 Hope Award Winner

I am so honored to have received RESOLVE's 2013 Hope Award for Best Blog!

A safe space where I discuss the racing thoughts in my head, personal struggles, and day-to-day activities while struggling with mental health and mood disorder issues. My personal goal is to reduce the stigma that comes with mental health and mood disorders, by talking more about it.